Hagan urges officials to combat 'sexual assault crisis'

Published: Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 07:55 AM.

A North Carolina senator urges officials to act immediately to combat the “sexual assault crisis” the military is facing.

“I don't want (troops) wondering or worrying, will today be the day I become a victim of sexual assault?” U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-NC, said this week during a teleconference with media. “No one … when they are already putting their lives on the line to protect our nation … should have to worry about sexual assault.”

Hagan was responding to a recent report released by the Department of Defense on sexual assault in the military. The report announced a series of actions that will be put in place to prevent and respond to sexual assault in the armed forces.

“Right now too many victims don't come forward because they are either afraid of retaliation, don't believe their confidentiality will be maintained or they don't have faith in the military justice system,” Hagan said.

Marine Corps officials agree that something must be done.

“Sexual assault is unacceptable in the Marine Corps,” said Col. Michael Hudson, the head of the Marine Corps’ sexual assault prevention and response branch. “We must allow our current initiatives to take effect, while continuing to explore new ways to reduce — with the goal to eliminate — sexual assault and further increase the quality of all aspects of our response system.

“Our leadership remains personally committed to stopping all forms of this crime within our ranks.”

A North Carolina senator urges officials to act immediately to combat the “sexual assault crisis” the military is facing.

“I don't want (troops) wondering or worrying, will today be the day I become a victim of sexual assault?” U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-NC, said this week during a teleconference with media. “No one … when they are already putting their lives on the line to protect our nation … should have to worry about sexual assault.”

Hagan was responding to a recent report released by the Department of Defense on sexual assault in the military. The report announced a series of actions that will be put in place to prevent and respond to sexual assault in the armed forces.

“Right now too many victims don't come forward because they are either afraid of retaliation, don't believe their confidentiality will be maintained or they don't have faith in the military justice system,” Hagan said.

Marine Corps officials agree that something must be done.

“Sexual assault is unacceptable in the Marine Corps,” said Col. Michael Hudson, the head of the Marine Corps’ sexual assault prevention and response branch. “We must allow our current initiatives to take effect, while continuing to explore new ways to reduce — with the goal to eliminate — sexual assault and further increase the quality of all aspects of our response system.

“Our leadership remains personally committed to stopping all forms of this crime within our ranks.”

In 2012 there were 3,374 reports of sexual assault involving service members as victims or subjects — an increase from 3,192 in 2011. The reports range from abusive sexual contact to rape. This is the first update to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Strategic Plan since 2009.

“Our goal is to change the culture of the Marine Corps, to create an environment in which all Marines can serve proudly with dignity and respect,” Hudson said.

The strategy to eradicate sexual assault in the military will use prevention, investigation, accountability, advocacy and assessment, according to the Department of Defense report released on May 7.

Hudson said the report indicates that sexual assault continues to be a challenge in the Marine Corps. He emphasized there are programs in place to try and help.

“Our Sexual Assault Prevention and Response training programs teach Marines how to help, emphasizing bystander intervention, an initiative designed to prevent the crime before it happens, and outlining all the resources and options available to victims should the crime occur,” he said.

The Department of Defense has established a federal advisory committee to conduct an independent review and assessment of the systems used to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate crimes involving adult sexual assault. The panel will convene no later than July 1.

“Sexual assault is a big issue in the Marine Corps because it contradicts the values that every Marine has sworn to defend, results in an irrevocable loss of faith in the institution and leads to the degradation of unit cohesion, mission capability and morale,” Hudson said. “The commandant recognizes these devastating effects and he and all Marine Corps leaders are personally committed to leading the change against this crime.”